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Semi or Auto Turntable.

M

McNewbie

Active Member
I am looking to get myself a new TT with semi or automatic start/stop functions in the range $500 -$1000. I am interested in these models: Pioneer, Denon, Marantz and Thorens. I am a fairly newbie so don't know by model #s if they are manual, semi or auto.

I spent some time looking at Thorens TD-125 models and later found out it is a manual op but looks like the TD-126 is semi.

Which model would you pick if this was you from the options provided above?

I have also looked at Thorens TD-160, Pioneer PL-530, Marantz 6300 and 6370Q, Denon 60L but am not sure which one to buy or what makes one better than the others. Any other models which are better that the listed in the same price range?

Thanks much for your time.

Paul
 
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I agree :) Which one do you like the best? Which one, when you look at it, makes you want to spin a record? As to Semi and Auto, I have some of all. I prefer the Semi table, becuase i like to fall asleep, and don't want the stylus bumping all night long compared to my manual table. My Girlfriend likes the auto, so she doesn't have to worry about damaging the stylus.
 
Not to generalize but from my experience if sonics is the priority over convenience I'd suggest a manual turntable. Some, not all, manual turntables put what they would of put into the auto features into a better tonearm or an other area that will benefit sonically. With a $500-$1000 budget you should be able to get a very nice preowned turntable.
 
Thanks much all for your reply. :thmbsp:

No Manual TT. I already have four SL-1200's which I don't use due to manual operation). Will let these go when I get a chance.

From the look I like the Marantz 6300 or PL-560 and also like the Denon 60L.

Sonically, which would you pick from these? Thanks.

Update:
Just saw a Pioneer PL-530 on the bay which will end in about 2 hrs. Is this any good sonically? So should I continue shopping for the PL-560 or the others listed above?
 
Balifly said:
Does the Denon DP-60L come with both the straight and the S tone arms ?:scratch2:
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There are two on eBay now. One is local pick up so will not work for me then. The other has only one straight arm not sure what kind and BIN for $840 shipped with broken clamp. Keep looking? Thanks.
 
Well I know there's no voting going on here. I have two manual turn tables. I wanted at least a turn table that at the end of the record it would lift up. I once woke up in the morning and found the record still doing the loop de loop at the end of the record. This is one reason why I like auto return and shut off turn tables.
 
I prefer manual! When I want background music, I use my Otari. And I need multiple tonearms and need a professional table which can use a 12" tonearm.
 
Satcom123 said:
Well I know there's no voting going on here. I have two manual turn tables. I wanted at least a turn table that at the end of the record it would lift up. I once woke up in the morning and found the record still doing the loop de loop at the end of the record. This is one reason why I like auto return and shut off turn tables.
Click to expand...

either semi or auto will work fine for me. Maybe it'll take some time for me to get used the manual operation. I kept forgetting to stop and lift up the TT way too many times to feel comfortable with it. Perhaps some day I will learn to like it.
 
How 'bout a Technics 1600 MK 2 -- fully auto, or a Pioneer P{L 630 or 600 (silver style) ? Some have "repeat" options if that matters. I found it too tedious using a manual TT but I definitely understand why a manual TT is preferred. Half the fun is just what you're doing -- research and scoping out.
 
I also like the automatic tables for the same reasons that others have mentioned. The last two were DD and quartz locked computer logic types and they are a joy to operate.The repeat function comes in handy when breaking in a new cartridge or stylus for a couple of days.
 
The big advantage to a fully automatic single play turntable is that it repeatedly gives it's owner who has decided to wade through a tall stack of 45 rpm records a few extra seconds to sprint back to his (or her) sweet spot chair and settle back in, run fingers through his (or her) hair, and take a sip of a waiting hot or cold beverage that had been trying it's utmost to adjust itself to room temperature while the aforementioned audio fan had been prepping the just-starting record for playback. :D

Or, said owner could just buy a fully manual Audio-Technica AT-PL120 for 45s and endure it's idiosyncrasies all for the convenience of a remote start switch for which this turntable is equipped. (The later appearing AT-LP120 does not have this feature.)
 
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These arn't one of the TTs you listed as possible candidates but I'll throw out the option of two linear tracking TTs, Yamaha PX-2 and PX-3, both auto and within your $500-$1,000 budget.
 
I just picked up a Harman Kardon T60 which is semi-automatic, with a twist ... it just lifts the arm at the end of the record. No linkages under there potentially causing tonearm drag. You would be able to get one well under your budget .... and have $ to do some tweaks (outboard power supply, additional damping, really nice cartridge, etc.) .... if you don't mind belt drive and a suspended deck.

Or how about one of the vintage Denon tables? DP-62L?
 
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